If you’re anything like me and you work on your own as a consultant or freelancer, you know how lonely it can be going it alone. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Slowly but surely, over the course of this last year, I’ve created my own personal Board of Directors.
flickr photo by tiarescott
These folks help me, prod me, encourage me, and supplement me. They keep me focused on my goals, and clarify what really matters to me in my business and personal life. Some of these team members might be obvious to you, but others will probably come as a surprise.
I’m sure it isn’t news to you that if you want to have a life of fulfillment you have to achieve balance. A Google search for “life balance” yields over 40 million results. For this post, I decided to break up my board members into three categories: body, mind, and spirit. Balancing these three areas, for me anyway, is the key.
Body:
1. The Massage Therapist
I have slight scoliosis and an ongoing TMJ problem that makes massage therapy nothing short of necessary. However, you don’t have to be in pain to benefit from massage. Healing touch is a powerful force. Every two weeks or so I get to turn off all external interruptions, and allow myself and my broken-down old body to be the focus of attention. Let me just say that again, for emphasis, “I allow myself to be the focus of attention.” It’s even more fabulous that Todd is right in my neighborhood – I love being able to walk to my massage appointment!
flickr photo by tangywolf
2. The Coach
Just this year I started (and stopped, and started again) running. Exercise does not come easily or naturally for me. A friend of mine on Twitter offered to be my coach. He checks in with me, monitors my schedule, makes sure I’m eating right, and harasses encourages me. Having someone out there who yells at me, eggs me on, and tells me what kind of gear to get has been incredibly helpful. I’m running in my first race EVER this year! A 5K in May.
3. The Hair Stylist
Beauty comes from within, but having a great haircut and color doesn’t hurt. The woman who cuts my hair is funny, talented, and can translate my gibberish into a good haircut. Priceless!
Mind:
4. The Sounding Board
Everyone needs people to bounce ideas off of. If you’re in business, especially if you’re in business for yourself, you need someone who understands what you do now and where you want to go. It’s crucial to have colleagues to talk to who are not directly involved in your business matters. Here’s where Twitter, Seesmic, and other Social Networking sites have proved their value. They brought me Phil, and Tracy, and Mike, and Connie, and countless other people out there who I can count on as members of my team.
flickr photo by nathanrussell
5. The Protege
Recently I was approached by someone who asked if I would be his mentor. After picking my jaw up off the floor, I hastily agreed. Most teachers, mentors, bosses, and counselors worth their salt will tell you they learn BUCKETS by teaching and helping other people. I know this is true for me – I learn more about myself and what I think about the world when I’m giving guidance to others.
6. The Role Model
What do you want to be when you grow up? Or, rather, who? Find someone out there who’s doing what you want to do, and doing it the way you want to be doing it, and pay very close attention to them. There’s no shame in following in someone’s footsteps. When I grow up I want to be Mrs. Kennedy.
Spirit:
7. The Jane
Everyone should have a Jane. My Jane is named Jane, but yours could be named Chuck, or Jerome, or Tawanna. He or she could be your aunt or uncle, a family friend, your pediatrician, or your priest. It’s especially good if your Jane has known you for a very, very long time. My Jane has known me for about 20 years. She calls me on my bullshit, but she also sees where I’ve grown and changed. She pulls me aside for long walks when she notices that I’m, shall we say, not making the best choices in life. She sends me little love notes. She looks out for me. I don’t have to talk to my Jane that often. Knowing she’s there is enough. She’s my “In Case of Emergency, Pull This Cord” person.
8. The Club
Yes, you need colleagues and people around you who understand your business and your aspirations. You also need a life. To get a life, I joined a book club. These people have no idea what I do for a living, and no interest in discussing anything web 2.0 related. Every month we read a book, and then we get together and we talk about the book. It’s as simple as that. I found them on meetup.com. Rock climbing, yoga, a capella singers, dog lovers, you name it, they all have clubs on meetup.
flickr photo by webg33k
9. The Cubicle Buddy
No, I don’t work in a cubicle. Neither does my friend Reggie. He’s not even in the same city. But almost every day, he’s there, doing his thing, and I’m here, doing my thing, and if I feel like it, I can say “hey,” and he’ll almost always say “hey” back. If it’s a crap day, he cheers me up, and vice versa. Mostly he just cracks me up, and I love him for it. We communicate via IM, which works great – it’s almost like peeking over my cubicle wall and grinning at him, except we do it with smiley icons.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means, I have a massive Board of Directors, but these are some of the key players. My goal for this year is to add one very specific member: my own mentor. This is not to be confused with a role model. Role models don’t actually have to communicate with you to be on your Board, after all. As I move into consulting as a career, and away from freelance writing and editing, I’m keeping my eye out for someone who works in my field and is willing to give me guidance, on a regular basis. I’ll keep you posted.
So, who’s on your Board? Who’s missing? Are you balancing these three areas of your life? Are you asking for help from the people around you?
